Traditional knives with “modern” steels

SoansoMcMasters

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Hello all! I am sure I have missed some threads on this, but can I get some recs for traditional style knives with the added bonus of some more current steels? I have a heap of modern knives in various steels (mostly Spydercos) but I’d love to add some traditional knives.

My main usage is standard EDC use plus lots of whittling and carving. Thanks as always for the information!
 
Many makers offer modern steel, usually in limited patterns or releases ... or like Buck, mostly through their Custom Shop
Outside of production knives, it's not unusual to find high end handmade that routinely using modern steel
That said, for EDC and whittling, many generations have found "lesser" steels perfectly acceptable ... even preferred for ease of maintenance
^^^ that may be part of the big picture, but others could chime in with specifics to what you are looking for. Good Luck :)
 
Hello all! I am sure I have missed some threads on this, but can I get some recs for traditional style knives with the added bonus of some more current steels? I have a heap of modern knives in various steels (mostly Spydercos) but I’d love to add some traditional knives.

My main usage is standard EDC use plus lots of whittling and carving. Thanks as always for the information!
My main usage is standard EDC use plus lots of whittling and carving.
If that is your goal than 1095 carbon steel will work just fine. Welcome to the Porch and traditional knives! 😃
 
Is D2 a "modern" steel? Marbles has or had a sowbelly stockman with black micarta covers and D2 blades.
View attachment 1940198
Marbles  might have a couple new knives out in D2.

Rough Ryder currently has a medium stockman and a couple other patterns with V10 blades, with blue and silver aluminum covers.

Lion Steel has some with M390, but I believe most are a single blade, although I think the "Groomsman" and the Barlow are available as a two blade.

While not a "modern" steel or a "super steel" by today's standards, Böker TREE BRAND with the Solingen, Germany tang stamp, makes a couple patterns with 440C blades. You'll have to check with the GEC experts, but I believe GEC has done a limited number of runs using 440C, as well.
440C was/is the original high wear resistance (and hence "difficult" to sharpen) "super steel". It will take and hold a keen edge down to 12~12.5° per side/24~25° inclusive edge, without a "micro bevel", without danger of chipping.

Buck offers S30V or other "super steels" on a limited number of knives in their Custom Shop. Sadly, all are single blades, like the 110/112, a couple of their one hand openers, and a couple fixed blades.
If you can find a 2018 Blade Forms two blade 301
View attachment 1940219on the secondary market, it has CPM154 blades.

SK Blades and Copper & Clad used to have Buck SFO's with blade steels not normally available, such as CPM154, D2, and 5160, but I don't think either did a run of the 300 series knives. SK Blades was going to do a 301. However, the guy in charge of scheduling SFO's resigned, then shortly after that, the Covid's struck. Buck has pretty much stopped making dealer exclusive SFO's, from what I understand.

As others have said, many generations have used simple steels like 440A; 420HC; and 10xx for whittling.
A couple advantages of the simple "obsolete" (note quotes) steels are ease of sharpening, and they can be taken to a super keen 20° inclusive edge (without a "micro bevel") without chipping. In the rare instance the edge rolls, a quick stropping or a couple swipes on a Butcher's Steel (which contrary to popular belief does  not remove any blade metal) will fix the rolled edge. Another advantage is the keen 20° inclusive edge holds a working edge longer than a wider/thicker edge.
 
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Lionsteel Ram's Horn Shadow

995X24F.jpg
 
We are not allowed to link to non-supporting vendors.
Simply go to your Google search and type in "Case S35VN" 🤠 :thumbsup:
Thanks, I’m sorry I didn’t know that was a rule! When I do that search I only get their modern flippers. I’ll keep digging
 
Knifecenter is a supporting dealer with Lionsteel. They also stock some customs such as the Zeiba Heritage slipjoint in M390 and carbon fiber. I have that one and it's great.
 
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